In more ways than one. Actually, there’s only two. If there are others, they are certainly dwarfed by these two. #1 – out of stock, and #2 – going back on your word for the benefit of the quick payday, monetary, or otherwise. Also known as CAPITALISM. One, we tolerate temporarily, however unfortunate. The other, intolerable, through a betrayal of trust. This brief overview is about #2.

There are enough books on this subject to fill not just a shelf, but an aisle. And the majority of those books are filled with references to studies, statistics, and instances that occurred. Even more prevalent are the anecdotes and philosophies espoused, to explain to everyone how and why things are the way they are. Repunzel never had it so easy.

But I digress. This is not exactly about selling out. It’s about ‘supply & demand’. I simply used ‘sold out’ as a title because it was catchy, but even more so, ‘sold out’ is what happens when people take advantage of the ‘supply & demand’. They go hand-in-hand. All under the guise of CAPITALISM.

Capitalism. The art of making money. Originally, by any means necessary. Under the watchful eyes of Government. If one entity grew too large, for whatever reason, some by illegal means, laws were enacted to even the playing field. One way entities dominated was by hording supply to increase demand because of a perceived deficit. The smaller the supply combined with a higher demand, resulted in a higher price. Simple enough. It’s the standard formula ‘capitalism’ was based on. Unfortunately, the stronger some became, the weaker others became. ‘Supply & demand’ became ‘sellers & buyers’. Rich and poor. Albeit speculative, you can bet Government got a piece of the action. The biggest entity of this practice, and still dominates to this day, without so much as a whimper, is DeBeers. The world’s largest diamond merchant, headquartered in South Africa. They sit on the world’s largest supply of diamonds, but only release a small amount at a time, which keeps the demand high, and for a higher price. The ultimate example of market domination. We’re still a long way off on ‘monopoly law’ on a world scale. They continue to rule untouched and unscathed. Use this piece of economic dominance the next time someone is expecting a diamond as a gift. (Sorry ladies.)

Why is it said these days the ‘middle class’ is disappearing? Is it possible the ‘middle class’ make up those who are ‘buyers’ AND ‘sellers’? Caught between a rock and a hard place? Buying on a small scale and selling at a mark-up in order to stay ahead? And in the process, being undercut because the larger entities are producing and selling in bulk, at a lower price, putting the small business, out of business? Capitalism? Or legal indirect extortion?

Politics play a major role. A small business attempting to open a store in a particular neighborhood, is subject to permit approval by the business community in that neighborhood, along with several homeowners’ associations surrounding that neighborhood, and local government agencies. Most of the disputes these days has to do with ‘chain-stores’. And the businesses teaming with the homeowners’ associations wield absolute power. How? Pressure on District Supervisors and City Council members. What’s at stake? Profits. Translated: Capitalism. Not to mention some of the politicians have investments at stake, whether it be their businesses nearby, or membership in those HOA’s. Sounds like a conflict-of-interest to me.

Even as we speak (2008), oil prices are at an all-time high, resulting in an unprecedented $4.00 per gallon at the pump (June, 2008), and going up. A direct result of the price of oil being imported into the US. Gas station franchise owners are your classic example of ‘middle class’. They are charged higher prices by the oil companies, and, in order to stay ahead, for the purpose of profit, the cost is passed on to the consumer. Did you know the cost of a liter (approximately a quart) of fuel in the Middle East is 12c? That’s 50c a gallon. At the source. The US supply is drying up. There’s even a proposal to free up reserves in the Alaskan territory that have been off-limits all this time. Same goes for off-shore drilling in the Pacific ocean off the West Coast, putting the protected marine life at stake. Capitalism.

But this should come as no surprise to the average ‘joe’ up on current events. Everyone and their mother complain about the rising costs. They see the documented record profits enjoyed by the oil companies. And everyone wonders how they still profit from the rising prices? Uh, welcome to “Capitalism 101”.

They’ve always profited greatly. When oil import prices go up, the price for fuel goes up. The question is, why is the oil import price going up? Production hasn’t slowed. Could it be the science reports about oil drying up around the world are fueling (pun intended) a backlash now? Does control of imports from foreign countries play into it? And, brace yourself, is the knowledge that the US is the largest consumer of oil/fuel in the world, have an effect on the price, bottom line? Capitalism, baby.

The ‘trickle-down-theory’ used by Reagan in the 80’s to explain his economics was, in reality, the definition of ‘supply & demand’. Same goes for every item you buy on the shelf, wherever you shop. When the manufacturer’s cost rises, due to raw goods diminishing, rather than absorb the loss, the price goes up to make up the difference. The next in line (wholesaler) subsequently raises their price to the retailer, who already marks up the price, but now even higher, to the consumer. We, as the consumer, always pay in the end. Funny how it starts as a trickle in the beginning, but ends up a waterfall when it reaches us.

Bottom line: If I ran Chevron or Exxon, the price would be the same. Supply & demand. The US is filled with gas-guzzling machines. Parking is dwindling. The dependency on fuel is at excessive proportions. People will pay, no matter what. And there’s not a goddamn thing anyone can do about it. And do you know what that’s called, when you suck it up, swallow your pride and realize that it is what it is, and ‘government’ can’t do anything, even though they’re profiting as well?

C A P I T A L I S M